A mini-marathon and three members of staff running the Reading Mizuno Half Marathon saw the primary school, in Wittenham Avenue, Tilehurst, raise an impressive £3,271

Phil Meredith from BIBS, sister Claire Lord and headteacher John Micklewhite join the children for the cheque presentation

A primary school has given the single largest donation to an appeal for a piece of equipment to help save babies at Royal Berkshire Hospital.

A mini-marathon and three members of staff running the Reading Mizuno Half Marathon saw Birch Copse School, in Wittenham Avenue, Tilehurst, raise an impressive £3,271.

The Saving Tiny Lives appeal was launched by Babies in Buscot Support (BIBS) and getreading last month to raise funds for a special incubator.

The Giraffe OmniBed Incubator allows the most premature and sick babies to be nursed in a temperature-controlled environment, with easier access for procedures. They cost £29,000 each.

Pupils raised the money through sponsorship of their mini marathon. The total was also boosted by sponsorship from headteacher John Micklewhite, deputy head Paul Massey, and teacher Katie Purdy running the half marathon in March.

Mr Micklewhite said: “The school decided to use the mini-marathon to raise money for BIBS in support of the Higgins family who tragically lost their younger son last year, and whose elder child is a pupil here. BIBS is a charity close to the hearts of many of our families who have reasons to be aware of the vital work of Buscot Ward."

He continued: “We are very grateful and appreciative to our parents for the support they gave to the mini-marathon.”

As a thank-you for all their hard work, a group of Birch Copse pupils were invited to Buscot Ward to present staff with the cheque.

Phil Meredith, deputy chairman of BIBS, said: “I and everybody involved with BIBS and Buscot Ward would like to offer a huge thank you to all of the pupils, teachers and parents involved in raising this amazing amount of money towards our Saving Tiny Lives appeal.

“If it wasn’t for the generosity and ingenuity of our supporters BIBS would not be able to offer the level of support to local sick and premature babies on Buscot Ward that we do today.

“The £3,271 raised by Birch Copse Primary School is a massive boost towards our target of £29,000. We cannot thank them enough.

So far Saving Tiny Lives has raised £4,834.78.

Mr Meredith added: “Most schools in the area will have at least one pupil that has spent time on Buscot Ward. We are very keen to work with local schools, raising awareness of what BIBS do, for further information contact phil@bibs.org.uk."

You can donate online at www.justgiving.com/Bibs-incubator, by texting BIBS90 followed by either £1, £2, £5, or £10 to 70070, or by sending a cheque made payable to BIBS to BIBS, Buscot Ward, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, RG1 5AN.

Please indicate that the money is for the Saving Tiny Lives appeal and mark the envelope for the attention of Phil Meredith.